Lisa Armstrong, the ex-wife of TV presenter Ant McPartlin, has shared a defiant Valentine's Day message following the death of her beloved dog Hurley. The award-winning make-up artist posted a poem on Instagram that read: 'Roses are flowers, pebbles are stones, here's a big shout to those on their own. Count yourself lucky and try not to sob, look at the bright side, you're not with a n*b.'
The chocolate Labrador, which Armstrong and McPartlin adopted during their marriage, was put to sleep this week after falling too ill to recover. McPartlin rushed from the launch of Britain's Got Talent to say his goodbyes at the vet alongside Armstrong. The former couple had continued to co-parent Hurley after their bitter split in 2018.
McPartlin previously credited Hurley with helping him overcome his battle with drink and drug addiction. In a 2019 interview, he said: 'There's a loyalty and a love and a companionship with Hurley that you can't describe. He never tells me off and is always pleased to see me.' When the couple divorced, McPartlin reportedly told his lawyers: 'She can have anything she wants – except the dog.'
The news of Hurley's death comes after reports that Armstrong has split from her actor boyfriend Grant Kilburn. The couple are said to have parted ways in January, just weeks after friends claimed she was 'happier than ever' in the relationship. A friend said: 'It's very sad but it wasn't to be.'
